Taste of Chicago: A Popular Food Festival

In 1980, a group of restaurateurs approached the Mayor of Chicago with the notion of a food festival on the Fourth of July. It was the birth of Taste of Chicago. Self-confidence was substantial that the a single-day occasion could entice 75,000 people. Alternatively, the event drew virtually 250,000 attendees and forever transformed the way Chicago celebrates the Fourth of July.

Due to the overwhelming response from the folks of Chicago, the occasion was moved the following year to Grant Park, considered the city’s “front yard.” The park’s central area with practical accessibility by means of public transportation is effortlessly identifiable to citizens and visitors alike. The park is also the center of the Grant Park cultural community which consists of the Art Institute, Adler Planetarium, and Shedd Oceanarium, Area Museum, Cultural Center, as nicely as Michigan Avenue and State Street buying.

For 10 days, this cost-free-admission festival infuses the city with a vacation spirit thanks to its extraordinary festive scene. Colorfully decorated tents surround the outside kitchens of more than 70 dining establishments from all in excess of Chicagoland. Exotic aromas permeate the air and no visitor leaves a food booth empty handed.

In reality, for the duration of Taste of Chicago 2007, festival goers consumed 127,360 ears of corn, 165,000 lbs of turkey legs, 293,600 slices of pizza – and much more than 430,000 glasses of Bud, Bud Light and Bud Decide on provided by CITY Beverage-Chicago (CBC).

“The Taste of Chicago is one particular of the city’s signature occasions and the Midwest’s biggest foods festival, drawing men and women from during the neighborhood and beyond,” explained CBC Standard Manager Mike Flynn.

The Mayor’s Office estimates that the 27th yearly occasion drew three.6 million individuals to downtown Chicago’s Grant Park in between June 29 and July eight, 2007. This staggering crowd sampled in excess of 300 menu items from much more than 70 restaurants. Ticket income for 2007 surpassed all prior year’s on-site product sales.

In the spirit of the festival, CBC also distributed a “taste” of a much more exclusive item – Bacardi’s Mojito. The crowd embraced the new taste, buying more than 48,000 12oz cans of the beverage.

While enjoying the culinary experiences, participants had been also handled to totally free concerts from musical headliners, including John Mayer, Low-cost Trick, Kenny Rogers, and The Black Crowes, doing to crowds from the Petrillo Music Shell, which affords seating for five,000. A July 3rd fireworks extravaganza, with accompaniment from the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra, awed much more than one particular million spectators.

“Even with in depth prior experience to draw on, coordinating efforts for this massive occasion is often a challenge. CBC and the millions of festival attendees applaud Draught Top quality Manager Joe Lombardo and his team for working day and night to make sure the occasion was a resounding success,” said Flynn.

The 28th Annual Taste of Chicago will be held June 27 by means of July 6, 2008. The festival is place collectively for families and other people who not only take pleasure in the foods frenzy, but also get pleasure from the opportunity to see one particular or much more of their favourite artists execute for totally free. Other highlights of the festival include the Loved ones Village &amp Enjoyable Time Stage, International Pavilion, and chef demonstration spot.

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